Ever had a guest stare at the menu puzzled? Or someone who just asks, “What’s good here?” without giving much to work with? That’s when you have to step in and make menu suggestions!
A good menu suggestion helps guests decide, enhancing their dining experience and building trust. Ultimately, it can increase your revenue. A well-thought-out suggestion can turn a first-time visitor into a regular.
So, how do you make spot-on menu suggestions? Here’s a complete guide.
Some guests know exactly what they want. But some need a little nudge in the right direction. That’s where they need a good recommendation. Menu suggestions might seem like just listing the best-selling dishes, but you have to help guests find something they’ll genuinely enjoy. It’s a mix of understanding their preferences, considering the occasion like holidays, and sometimes even adding your personal favorites.
Here’s why it matters:
When you recommend menu suggestions, you create great moments for your restaurant guests. Here’s how you can suggest dishes to your guests:
Ask your executive chef to curate 8 to 12 dishes that highlight the strengths of your quick service restaurant while ensuring smooth restaurant operations. Here’s how to create the perfect recommendation list to make it easier for restaurant staff to guide guests confidently:
A restaurant POS system’s menu management features can help customize your QSR menu in real-time. As a result, your staff can always recommend available and profitable dishes. It also improves POS analytics. So, you’ll know what’s working!
Guests can tell when menu suggestions are genuine! So, do not “recite” the menu. Instead, suggest dishes you personally love. Passion sells. So, if you’re excited about a dish, your guests are likely to be too.
Here’s how to do it right:
You can say:
Some guests love bold, exciting flavors. But some just want a cozy, familiar meal. Your job is to guide them to a dish that feels just right.
Here’s how to talk about such dishes:
Not all guests will immediately know what they want. A little prompting can go a long way in helping them decide. Just ask the right questions:
This helps determine dietary preferences and restrictions.
This determines portion size and meal type (comforting vs. refreshing).
This helps suggest sauces or dressings.
This prevents offering something they can’t eat.
This narrows down dishes based on spice tolerance.
This helps tailor suggestions to their comfort level.
This checks for specific ingredient preferences.
What if your guests are still unsure? Just rule out what they don’t want to make choosing easier!
If guests sense you're only recommending high-priced dishes, it can come across as insincere. They might hesitate to trust your suggestions. Instead, focus on dishes that deliver great taste and value. Consequently, guests can enjoy their meal and return for more.
At the same time, don’t hesitate to suggest mid-range options that enhance the dining experience without significantly raising the bill. Offer mix-and-match options or small upgrades so that guests can customize their meal without feeling like they're being upsold. Here’s how:
Too many choices can overwhelm guests, so offer three well-balanced entrée options to simplify their decision. Provide variety: one light, one hearty, and one unique. For example:
Here’s what you can say:
You can also create, manage, and suggest a combo deal using your QSR POS for added value.
Not every guest will say yes when you first recommend a dish. And that’s okay! Do not leave them hanging. Have a backup plan. Choose alternatives based on:
Here are phrases you can use:
Want to make the dish sound irresistible? Don’t just mention the dish name. Instead, describe it using mouthwatering words. Bring out the flavors, textures, and ingredients. This way, you can turn things around and ensure the guest leaves happy.
Here are three ways to do it right:
Ever had a guest light up because you remembered their last order? This small gesture makes a big impact. If a customer loved the pumpkin risotto last time, you could say, “You really enjoyed the pumpkin risotto. Would you like to try our butternut squash ravioli today? It has that same rich, comforting flavor!”
A restaurant POS system manages and tracks customer orders without manual errors. The next time a regular walks in, you can quickly check their favorite dishes and make personalized menu suggestions.
Guests get disappointed when their favorite dish isn’t available. But you can make a thoughtful suggestion to turn things around. Don’t just say, “We don’t have that.” Here's how to offer a similar alternative with enthusiasm. Here’s how:
This way, you can turn things around, deal with the customer, and make them happy.
But honestly, wouldn’t it be even better to avoid the situation altogether? A reliable handheld POS system tracks inventory in real-time, ensuring you always know what’s available.
At the end of the day, when you recommend menu dishes, you want to enhance the guest experience, not just sell food. Whether it’s suggesting a chef’s signature dish, offering personal favorites, or guiding guests based on their preferences, there’s no single right way to do it. The best approach? A combination of these methods tailored to each guest.
Want to make menu suggestions easier? OneHubPOS can help! With detailed menu insights, customer preferences, and sales data at your fingertips, you can recommend menu dishes in an effortlessly informed way. To know more, book a demo today!
Price seasonal items based on their cost, perceived value, and market demand. For example, offer a winter-themed dish at a premium if it uses high-quality ingredients or unique flavors.
Menu engineering boosts profitability by highlighting high-margin dishes, optimizing menu layout, and strategically pricing items to encourage higher sales of profitable dishes.
Food trends increase demand for trendy items, allowing for higher prices. Stay updated on trends to adjust prices and offer popular items that align with current consumer preferences.
A restaurant should conduct menu analysis at least quarterly to adapt to changing customer preferences, seasonal ingredients, and market trends, ensuring the menu remains fresh and competitive.
The main components of menu engineering include: